* I find it appalling that Gov. Paterson would abuse his position to shake down the Yankees for free tickets (“Panel Thumbs Gov. on Yanks Freebies,” Aug. 18).

I hope the proposed $100,000 fine will go to help New York and its budget concerns.

I also hope this means that the state will review the gift disclosures of other politicians, present and past.

I seem to remember Rudy Giuliani at quite a few games during his tenure.

At $100k a pop, that could be a huge windfall for the state.

Joe Bagnell

Ocean Grove, NJ

* New York’s Public Integrity Commission is investigating Gov. Paterson’s receiving free tickets for last year’s Yankees World Series.

But it’s somehow OK that state Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver collects a mystery paycheck from the law firm Weitz & Luxenberg, even as he consistently blocks any discussion of medical malpractice and tort reform in Albany.